Catania (Fides Service) – The award presented by the President of the Italian Republic for quality was assigned this year to “Christ in the Cold of the East” television programme produced by the present Director of Fides Service and shown on Italian national television. Through the voices of many eyewitness the programme narrates the long and tragic persecution of the Church in eastern Europe under communist dictatorship, from the October Revolution to 2000. The award, the only one given by the Italian Presidency, was assigned during the 55th edition of Prix Italia international radio, television and the internet contest held in Catania, Sicily, 13-20 September. This is the third award for “Christ in the Cold of the East” programme following the Terzo Millennio prize from the Italian Entertainment Board and the Premio Sant’Antonio awarded by the Friars Minor in Padua. SL (Fides Service 22/9/2003 EM lines 10 Words: 125)